Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1887-09-10
MONTANA LYNCH-LAW.
A Specimen of the Swift Justice Once
Melted Out to Criminals.

/, Specimen of the Swift Justice Once
Melted Out to Criminals.
The citizens of Helena, Mont, had
.ong been accustomed to deal out iUa
tee to criminals. They found this pop
nlar way far more speedy and efficient
than the ordinary law courts. Time
gave them much experience in hand
ling criminals, and their calm, unim-
passioned. methodical way is well Illus
trated in their treatment of the villains
who had attacked George Lenhart.
Lenhart was a kind-hcarted old man,
who was well known and highly re-
spcctcd. He was found one morning
lying sensclcSs by the roadside and
covered with blood. On regaining
consciousness he said that while riding
homeward the previous night he had
been ovcrtaken by two horscmen. One
of them shot him in the thigh, and
when he had fallen from his horse they |
had beaten him to insensibility. He
described the men, and they were soon
arrested and lodged in Jail.
The following evening the citizens
met to talk the matter over, A general
discussion was had, and then they
quietly adjourned to meet the follow
ing day. An hour before the appoint
ed time a thousand men had gathered
at the PLACE of meeting. A chairman
was appointed and he stated the gener-
al purpose for which they had come to-
gether. There was not the slight
est excitement visible anywhere;
every thing was quiet and orderly as a
camp meeting.
A well-known merchant of the town
removed his hat and moved that a Jury
of twenty citizens be appointed to OBJ
tain evidence, to listen to arguments
for the prosecution and the defense,
and to declare to the assembly the
guilt or innocence of the persons ac-
cused. The motion was seconded and
carried. The jury was selected, and
retired at once to a room to begin its
Investigations.
Up to this time the prisoners had re-
NAMED in the Jail Wnmolested. But
the committee had use for them now,
and sent its marshal to bring them.
The marshal, with a number of men.
waited upon the sheriff, but that officer
declined to surrender his prisoners.
The marshal %thereupon increased his
force. seized the sheriff and his depu-
ties, and searched for the keys. When
these were found the officers of the
law were locked in a room together
and a guard placed over them that
they might not make themselves
troublesome. One of the prisoners
was then taken from the prison, and
between a double line of citizens was
led to the committee room. He made
a full confession, and his accomplice
afterward did the same. The commit
tee thereupon went out before the as
sembly and reported that the guilt of
the prisoners was fully established.
At this juncture the district Judge
appeared and asked to be heard. Per-
mission was granted. He entered a
strong protest against this interference
with the civil authorities.
The judge was listened to patiently
and respectfully. He was a good
enough man, but they had heard SINH
lar arguments fifty times before. They
had grown tired of sitting quietly by
awaiting the laws delay, while men
were shot down and robbed day after
day.
Finally the question was put by the
chairman: What shall be done with
the p%risoners?'
Hang them!' was the response.
Again and more carefully the ques,
ton was put: rs it your decree that
the prisoners, Joseph Wilson and A. l.,
Compton, shall be taken to Pine Tree,
in Dry Gulch, and there be hanged by
the neck until they are deadP'
at is! That's the verdict" came
from almost every person present.
1t was then $3.50 O'Clock. A motor
prevailed that the prisoners be giver
till four O'Clock to prepare for death
Throughout the entire proceedings the
utmost decorum and even solemnity
prevailed among the crowd, which ha,
gradually swelled to three thousanC
souls. AT no time during the day hac
there been any loud talking or bolster
Gus demonstration.
AT the appointed hour the gulch pre-
sented the appearance of a vast amphi
theater. 1t was lined with n dens
mass of human beings, who covere,
the adjacent hills also. The town wa
deserted. At 4:30 o'clock the me-
were taken from the room where the
had been confined. They were place.
in a wagon, and each appeared inten
on the words of the priest by their side
The wagon halted under the branchc
, of the fatal tree. The rope was throw
over a limb, prayers were said, tn
/, horses were started and all was quickl
. OVERS, Paul Globe,